From Friday, May 22, through Sunday, May 24, the centre will welcome both existing and new visitors by offering a range of free activities, such as gym taster sessions, group exercise classes, and pickleball.

The centre, first opened in 1976, has continued to evolve over the decades to meet the needs of the growing town and its surrounding areas.

Wantage Leisure Centre now covers a variety of activities, from swimming lessons to fitness memberships.

Vale of White Horse District Council announced a £982,000 investment to further improve facilities.

Twenty-eight new employers have committed to paying the 2026/27 Oxford Living Wage rate of £14.06 an hour, which is set to benefit 1,298 additional workers.

Since the wage was announced in November and took effect in April, the total number of accredited employers has risen to 193.

This means more than 32,000 local people will be paid at least £14.06 an hour.

The Oxford Living Wage is set at 95 per cent of the London Living Wage, reflecting the high cost of living in the city.

The new employers who have committed to the Oxford Living Wage are Active Oxfordshire, African Families in the UK (AFiUK), Agile Collective Ltd, ASA Landscape Architects Ltd, Cinderella’s Cleaning Services (Oxford) Limited, Cyclox, Damascus Rose Kitchen, ExamSure, IRL Oxford, Kelpie Coffee, Makespace Oxford, Mortimer Hall Management Committee, Natural Bread Company, OCCA House LTD, Oxford Biomedica UK Limited, Oxford Hospitals Charity, Oxford North, Oxford Professional Education Group, OXPIP, Purcell Architecture Ltd, Refeyn Ltd, Stella’s Cleaning Services Ltd, Sustainable Asset Maintenance Services, Systematic Review Consultants LTD, The Mint House, The Missing Bean Ltd, The Project PT Limited, and Versantus IT Services Limited.

Oxford City Council has encouraged any business based or operating in the city that pays £14.06 or more to all staff to seek accreditation.

An Oxford Living Wage accreditation indicates an employer’s commitment to fair pay, supports recruitment and retention, and can contribute towards environmental, social and governance (ESG), as well as corporate social responsibility (CSR) objectives.

The Oxford Living Wage was introduced in 2018 to address Oxford’s long-standing status as one of the UK’s most unaffordable cities.

It is determined annually by Oxford City Council based on the Living Wage Foundation and Resolution Foundation’s research into actual living costs, such as housing, food, and transport.

Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council, said: “Every single Oxford Living Wage employer – new or reaccrediting, big or small – is directly helping to build a fairer city.

“I am delighted that so many have joined the community in the last few months and I hope it inspires others to consider it.

“Together, we’re creating a fairer Oxford, supporting local families and helping boost our local economy.”

Olly Wilkins, marketing director at Missing Bean, added: “We hire people who care: about the coffee, about the customers, and about the community around them.

“We give them the space to make the Cafe their own, and by paying everyone Oxford Living Wage and above, means they have the opportunity to live amongst their communities and be as enthusiastic as we are to keep serving the good stuff, day-in, day-out.”

Audi presents Wilderness has announced its 2026 chef lineup, featuring renowned names such as Atul Kochhar, Margot Henderson OBE, and Andi Oliver.

The festival, known for its unique dining experiences, will take place in the Cornbury Park nature reserve from July 30 to August 2.

Feasting experiences, including long table banquets and the Chef’s Table, are now open for bookings.

This year’s headline chefs include Atul Kochhar, an Indian chef with multiple stars, Margot Henderson OBE, co-founder of London’s Rochelle Canteen, Mike Davies, the chef-founder of The Camberwell Arms and Frank’s Café in South London, and broadcaster Andi Oliver.

The Chef’s Table, offering a seven-course tasting menu above Lake Wilderness, will feature Michelin Guide Young Chef Award winner Ash Valenzuela-Heeger, Sam Carter of Michelin-starred Restaurant Twenty-Two, zero-waste pioneer Douglas McMaster, and John Chantarasak of Michelin-starred AngloThai.

Wilderness favourite Andi Oliver will host the opening night banquet in partnership with The Circle, a global feminist organisation founded by leading women such as Annie Lennox.

From each seat booked, £5 will be donated to support grassroots women-led organisations worldwide.

Audi returns as the headline partner for the third year, continuing its presence within the festival’s food and culture programme.

This summer, the Audi Haven dining experience will be led by Audi ambassador and chef Theo Randall.

Limited seats at the Audi Kitchen will be available to win.

For the past 15 years, Wilderness has built a reputation for extraordinary dining experiences, featuring Michelin-starred chefs, internationally acclaimed chefs, cult restaurants, homegrown favourites, and the brightest new names in food.

Annie Lennox is also curating Sisters, which will take place on the main stage on Sunday.

Having already revealed a stellar arts and music programme with headliners Scissor Sisters, Carl Cox, and The Last Dinner Party, plus a special performance curated by Lennox, the globally-revered culinary programme now takes centre stage.

Wilderness 2026, presented by Audi, promises its most ambitious culinary offering yet.

The festival combines food, music, and arts, ensuring a diverse experience for attendees.

All tickets, including weekend camping, are available now.

Audi presents Wilderness 2026 is not just a festival; it is a celebration of culture, food, and music in a unique natural setting.

For more information, visit wildernessfestival.com.

Wilderness 2026 is a must-visit for food lovers and those seeking a unique festival experience in the heart of a nature reserve.

With a blend of music, arts, and food, the festival promises a memorable experience for all attendees.